Sigma Iota Chi (ΣΙΧ) is the youngest sorority at Pace Pleasantville and in turn, the most rapidly changing. The sorority was brought back on campus in the spring of 2010 after a five-year hiatus when the organization was removed from the campus for hazing allegations. Despite the setback, the organization is working hard to be viewed in a positive light through their contributions to the campus.
ΣΙΧ was founded in Sept. 1989 as the first local sorority at Pace. ΣΙΧ was brought back to campus because of the efforts made by Barbara Kotsmanidis, an alumni of Pace and member of ΣΙΧ. Kotsmanidis was active when the organization was removed from campus five years ago and contacted Pace about brining the sorority back to the school in 2010. Due to the hazing allegations and removal from campus, ΣΙΧ has gained a reputation of having an intense education period.
“I think a lot of people have a misconception of us that we’re such a tough sorority. Not a lot of people want to join us because of these rumors,” said senior business management major and president of ΣΙΧ Alicia Holzer.
Holzer has heard rumored hazing rituals that range in levels of absurdity. Some suggest physical abuse and other force lewd acts towards other Greeks. Holzer insists the rumors are not true.
“I’m not the type of person who would join an organization that would degrade me,” said Holzer. “We don’t degrade anyone that joins us.”
The misconception is a popular one but ΣΙΧ’s members don’t let the rumors get in the way of their accomplishments.
“We try to be mature,” said Holzer. “We never choose sides in Pace’s drama. We strive to stay out of conflict.”
Even though ΣΙΧ’s reputation is a source of drama, the organization doesn’t feel obliged to actively combat it. They prefer to set examples through their contributions.
One of the biggest contributions ΣΙΧ has on the campus is bringing back the Pace Pageant, which used to be an annual event back when the sorority was still on campus five years ago. Last year the event was co-sponsored with UPC and gathered over 50 students to view the pageant. Contestants have three rounds of competing: formalwear, casualwear and talent. The event is open to both men and women and a portion of the funds raised for the Pace Pageant is donated to Breast Cancer Awareness.
ΣΙΧ is also hoping to start another annual tradition through an event called Sig I Circus and Alpha Phi Dunk, a circus-themed event that’s co-sponsored with Alpha Phi Delta. The event hopes to provide a dunk tank, food and music towards the end of spring semester. ΣΙΧ hopes the event allows for students to unwind and relax just before finals take place.
Currently, the organization only has 12 members, so they are limited in their ability compared to other organizations that have over 30 members. In the future, they hope to increase their numbers and increase the number of events they can plan and host.
However, those 12 members consider themselves a tight-knit unit and can accomplish most tasks thrown their way. Holzer believes that ΣΙΧ’s members are closer to one another than most organizations. Despite the date members entered, or their personalities, they all have a pro-active nature in common which bonds them together.
This pro-activeness is what allows them to accomplish the events they’ve planned so far and what pushes them to improve in future semester.
ΣΙΧ looks for members who are deeply invested in becoming a part of their organization and have the maturity to get along with the existing members. Their Pace Pageant and Sig I Circus events are intended to take place next semester.